Henry, Count of Tyrol and Duke of Carinthia and Carniola, having in 1306 wed Anna Přemyslovna, the daughter of Wenceslaus II, had become the new brother-in-law of King Wenceslaus III of Bohemia, and had been elected King of Bohemia following the latter's murder in this same year.

Anna’s fourteen-year-old sister Elisabeth, now the only single princess in the family, is of an age to marry and so becomes one of the key players in the seizure-of-power disputes over the Kingdom of Bohemia.

The quarrels of the Bohemian throne between Henry of Bohemia and Rudolph of Habsburg had resulted in Rudolph taking Bohemia and marrying Elisabeth Richeza of Poland (Elisabeth's stepmother).

Elisabeth had gone to live in Prague Castle with her brother's widow, Viola Elisabeth of Cieszyn.

However, Rudolph's death had caused the throne to return in 1307 to her brother-in-law and sister, who had wanted Elisabeth to marry the lord of Bergova (Otto of Löbdaburg) for political reasons.

Upon Elisabeth’s refusal, an opposition group is made against Henry and Anne, with Elisabeth as the figurehead.

John, Count of Luxembourg and the eldest son of German king Henry VII and his wife Margaret of Brabant, is in 1310 elected as King of Bohemia and so one of the seven prince-electors of the Holy Roman Empire.

The fourteen-year-old John, French by education but deeply involved in the politics of Germany, is forced to invade Bohemia with the backing of the Bohemian nobility and his father.

Henry and Anna retire to Carinthia; Elisabeth marries John at Speyer in September 1310.

East Central Europe (1312–1323 CE): Consolidation of Angevin Hungary, Habsburg-Bavarian Rivalries, Polish Fragmentation, Bohemian Stabilization, and Urban Expansion

Between 1312 and 1323 CE, East Central Europe underwent significant realignments marked by the decisive establishment of Angevin rule in Hungary under Charles Robert of Anjou, sustained political consolidation of Austria under the Habsburg dynasty, continued fragmentation and local autonomy in Poland, and the gradual stabilization of Bohemia under the House of Luxembourg. Meanwhile, urban and economic expansion persisted, notably within flourishing Hanseatic cities and principalities such as Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, enhancing regional prosperity and laying critical foundations for subsequent geopolitical developments.

Political and Military Developments

Establishment of Angevin Rule in Hungary

• After prolonged internal struggles, Charles Robert of Anjou (Charles I of Hungary, r. 1308–1342) decisively secured his authority with his victory at the Battle of Rozgony (1312) against rebellious oligarchic magnates.

• Charles Robert significantly consolidated royal authority, initiated administrative and economic reforms, and stabilized Hungary after decades of fragmentation and internal unrest.

Continued Habsburg Dominance and Bavarian Rivalries

• In Austria, the Habsburg dukes Frederick the Fair (r. 1308–1330) and his brother Leopold I maintained stable rule, consolidating their family's political authority and territorial control, especially in Lower Austria, Styria, and Carinthia.

• Intense dynastic rivalries developed with neighboring Bavarian Wittelsbachs, particularly with Duke Louis IV of Bavaria (later Emperor Louis IV), leading to increased political tension within the Holy Roman Empire.

Polish Duchies: Fragmentation and Local Autonomy

• Poland remained politically fragmented into several independent Piast duchies, notably in Greater Poland, Lesser Poland, Silesia, and Mazovia. Despite continued internal divisions, these duchies maintained substantial local autonomy, economic prosperity, and urban growth through regional trade networks.

Bohemian Stabilization under the House of Luxembourg

• Following Přemyslid extinction, Bohemia gradually stabilized under the House of Luxembourg when John of Luxembourg (r. 1310–1346) ascended the throne in 1310.

• King John secured his authority through strategic marriages, military alliances, and regional diplomacy, laying foundations for future Bohemian prosperity and influence within Central Europe.

Growth of the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

• Under Henry I of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (r. 1279–1322), the principality strengthened politically and economically. Its influential position was enhanced through strategic alliances, marriages, and economic growth, significantly raising its regional profile within East Central Europe.

Economic and Technological Developments

Continued Urban Expansion and Hanseatic Prosperity

• Hanseatic League cities, notably Lübeck, Rostock, Toruń, Gdańsk, Wrocław, and Kraków, experienced sustained economic prosperity through extensive Baltic and inland trade.

• Urban centers invested in improved infrastructure, expanded fortifications, and enhanced marketplaces, contributing significantly to regional prosperity and stability.

Agricultural Advances and Technological Improvements

• Continued adoption of improved agricultural methods, including advanced plowing techniques, enhanced irrigation, and systematic crop rotation, significantly increased agricultural productivity and supported urban population growth and trade expansion.

Cultural and Artistic Developments

Bohemian Cultural Revival under Luxembourg Patronage

• Under John of Luxembourg’s patronage, Bohemia’s cultural landscape revived, notably in Prague. Gothic architecture, manuscript production, and courtly culture flourished, promoting intellectual and artistic vitality across Bohemian territories.

Cultural Continuity and Patronage in Polish Duchies

• Polish duchies, notably in Silesia, maintained strong cultural and artistic traditions. Monastic scriptoria continued literary and scholarly activities, preserving regional identity despite political divisions.

Hungarian Ecclesiastical and Royal Patronage

• King Charles Robert supported ecclesiastical institutions in Hungary, fostering artistic and architectural projects. The Hungarian church, especially in Esztergom and Veszprém, remained culturally influential and central to intellectual life.

Settlement and Urban Development

Strengthened Urban Centers and Infrastructure

• Major urban centers across East Central Europe expanded significantly. Cities such as Prague, Vienna, Kraków, Gdańsk, Lübeck, and Brunswick experienced rapid population growth, improved fortifications, marketplaces, and administrative buildings, facilitating sustained economic prosperity.

Expansion of Germanic Settlement (Ostsiedlung)

• Continued Germanic colonization into Brandenburg, Mecklenburg, Lusatia, Silesia, and Mazovia reshaped demographic landscapes, urban patterns, and agricultural development, significantly influencing local economies and regional identities.

Social and Religious Developments

Ecclesiastical Strength and Social Stability

• Ecclesiastical institutions, notably the Archbishopric of Salzburg and bishoprics of Passau, Bamberg, and Regensburg, continued strengthening regional authority, significantly influencing social structures, educational activities, and cultural patronage.

Strengthening of Aristocratic Autonomy

• Aristocratic and noble authority remained robust, particularly in Poland and Hungary, with regional magnates wielding considerable political and economic influence. These powerful families deeply shaped local governance, social structures, and regional stability.

Long-Term Consequences and Historical Significance

The era 1312–1323 CE was pivotal in reshaping East Central Europe’s medieval trajectory. Angevin Hungary under Charles Robert established long-term political stability, profoundly affecting Hungarian governance and regional dynamics. Bohemia's stabilization under John of Luxembourg revitalized its political and cultural prominence. Continued fragmentation among Polish duchies reinforced local autonomy, limiting central governance but enhancing regional economic prosperity. The Habsburgs' stable rule in Austria and their rivalry with Bavaria shaped imperial politics significantly, while Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel emerged as an influential regional power. Collectively, these developments laid essential foundations for subsequent geopolitical realignments, economic expansions, and cultural achievements throughout East Central Europe.

King Charles also invades Matthew's domain and occupies Visegrád.

The king attempts to weaken the unity among Matthew's partisans through diplomatic means.

According to a royal charter issued in September 1315, Charles I deprives three of the oligarch's retainers of all their possessions and gives these to Palatine Dominic Rátót, because they support Matthew Csák's efforts and have not asked for the king's grace.

One of these sanctioned nobles is Felician Záh, who will later unsuccessfully attempt to assassinate the entire royal family in 1330.

Thomas Szécsényi receives Hollókő from Charles, who has confiscated the land from the Kacsics clan, the disloyal relatives of Thomas.

Charles gradually encircles the Csák dominion, appointing loyal castellans to head of the nearby forts.

Matthew invades Szepes and his troops plunder the region, but he is narrowly defeated by Philip Drugeth, the king's loyal soldier.

Charles I has launched small campaigns against Matthew Csák's domain during 1314 and 1315.

The king's armies have invaded the Csák lands, but they cannot occupy them.

Matthew meanwhile occupies some fortresses in the March of Moravia and therefore King John of Bohemia also invades his territories in May 1315).

The Czech armies defeat his troops at Holic but they cannot occupy the fortress.

Some of Csáks former followers rebel against him in 1316, and although he occupies their castle at Jókő, some of them leave his domain.

Csák invades the possessions of the Diocese of Nitra in 1317, and his troops occupy and pillage its see.

As a consequence, the Bishop of Nitra excommunicates him and his followers once again.

The king's armies continue to invade Csák's territories and occupy Sirok and Fülek (Fiľakovo), but Matthew will be able to maintain his rule over his territories until his death in 1321.

East Central Europe (1324–1335 CE): Stability of Angevin Hungary, Luxembourg-Bohemian Influence, Polish Reunification Efforts, Habsburg-Bavarian Rivalries, and Urban Prosperity

The period between 1324 and 1335 CE saw significant political stabilization and consolidation throughout East Central Europe. The firm rule of the Angevin dynasty in Hungary under Charles Robert, the continued strengthening of Bohemia under John of Luxembourg, persistent internal rivalries among Polish duchies balanced by tentative reunification efforts, intensifying political rivalries between the Habsburgs and Bavarian Wittelsbachs within the Holy Roman Empire, and sustained urban and economic expansion across the region’s thriving cities—including the influential Hanseatic centers—characterized this transformative era.

Political and Military Developments

Continued Consolidation of Angevin Rule in Hungary

• Under Charles Robert of Anjou (Charles I of Hungary, r. 1308–1342), Hungary further stabilized politically and economically. Charles Robert consolidated central royal authority, subdued powerful oligarchs, and implemented significant administrative and fiscal reforms, including coinage stabilization, laying robust foundations for subsequent prosperity.

Luxembourg Ascendancy and Bohemian Expansion

• Bohemia, under John of Luxembourg (r. 1310–1346), solidified its regional influence, navigating dynastic alliances, marriage diplomacy, and military interventions.

• John's diplomatic and military engagements across Europe increased Bohemia’s political stature, notably through strategic ties with neighboring states and influential participation in imperial politics.

Polish Duchies and Attempts at Reunification

• Continued fragmentation characterized Polish duchies, notably Silesia, Greater Poland, Lesser Poland, and Mazovia. However, significant developments occurred under Władysław Łokietek, who, by 1320, was crowned King of Poland in Kraków, initiating ambitious attempts to reunify fragmented Polish lands, setting a critical precedent for centralized royal governance.

Habsburg and Bavarian Rivalries in the Empire

• The Habsburg Frederick the Fair (r. 1308–1330) contended with the Wittelsbach ruler Louis IV of Bavaria (r. 1314–1347, Holy Roman Emperor from 1328) for supremacy within the Holy Roman Empire.

• The intensified rivalry culminated in complex diplomatic maneuvering, territorial conflicts, and shifting alliances, profoundly influencing regional stability and imperial politics, particularly affecting Austria, Bavaria, and neighboring principalities.

Strengthening of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

• The Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, under Duke Otto the Mild (r. 1318–1344), further consolidated its regional position in Lower Saxony, enhancing its political prominence, economic prosperity, and diplomatic influence across northern East Central Europe.

Economic and Technological Developments

Continued Urban Growth and Hanseatic Economic Prosperity

• Cities in the Hanseatic League, notably Lübeck, Rostock, Toruń, Gdańsk, Kraków, and Wrocław, maintained robust economic expansion through extensive Baltic and inland trade networks.

• Substantial investments in urban infrastructure, expanded marketplaces, warehouses, and improved fortifications further bolstered regional economic vitality.

Agricultural Innovation and Productivity

• Improved agricultural techniques—such as advanced plowing technology, systematic crop rotation, and better irrigation—fostered greater productivity, sustaining urban growth and supporting increased population densities across the region.

Cultural and Artistic Developments

Bohemian Cultural Flourishing under Luxembourg Patronage

• Under John of Luxembourg’s patronage, Prague and other Bohemian urban centers experienced vibrant cultural and artistic activity, exemplified by Gothic architectural projects, courtly literary works, and illuminated manuscripts.

Polish Cultural Vitality

• Despite continued political divisions, Polish duchies, particularly in Greater Poland and Silesia, saw continued cultural vibrancy. Ecclesiastical and monastic institutions supported manuscript production, religious art, and scholarly pursuits, maintaining strong local cultural identities.

Hungarian Ecclesiastical and Royal Patronage

• King Charles Robert notably supported ecclesiastical and artistic initiatives, enhancing Hungary’s cultural landscape through the construction of religious monuments, cathedrals, and monastic complexes. Ecclesiastical centers such as Esztergom, Veszprém, and Pécs maintained significant cultural and intellectual influence.

Settlement and Urban Development

Urbanization and Economic Integration

• Major urban centers, including Vienna, Prague, Kraków, Gdańsk, Lübeck, Brunswick, and Wrocław, further expanded and consolidated their economic and administrative significance. Improved fortifications, municipal institutions, and commercial infrastructure underpinned regional prosperity.

Germanic Settlement and Regional Demographic Shifts

• The continued influx of German settlers (Ostsiedlung) into Silesia, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg, Lusatia, and Polish territories significantly reshaped the region’s demographic patterns, fostering cultural integration, agricultural productivity, and economic vitality.

Social and Religious Developments

Ecclesiastical Authority and Social Stability

• Ecclesiastical institutions—including the powerful Archbishopric of Salzburg and influential bishoprics of Passau, Bamberg, and Regensburg—continued expanding their social, political, and cultural authority. Church institutions notably shaped educational structures, regional governance, and societal cohesion.

Aristocratic Power and Feudal Structures

• Aristocratic elites remained dominant, particularly in Hungary, Poland, and Bohemia, wielding considerable political and economic influence. Feudal relationships and aristocratic autonomy persisted strongly, shaping local governance, regional stability, and social hierarchies.

Long-Term Consequences and Historical Significance

The era 1324–1335 CE represented a crucial phase of stabilization and transformation within East Central Europe. Hungary under Angevin rule experienced unprecedented political consolidation, setting lasting frameworks for administrative and economic strength. Bohemian stability under Luxembourg rule enhanced its regional prominence and cultural vitality, positioning Prague as a critical European cultural and political center. Polish reunification efforts under Władysław Łokietek began reversing fragmentation, paving the way for future centralized governance. Intensified Habsburg-Bavarian rivalries profoundly shaped imperial and regional dynamics. The sustained economic prosperity of Hanseatic cities and the continued urban and cultural flourishing reinforced regional vitality. Collectively, these developments laid essential foundations for subsequent geopolitical, economic, and cultural trajectories, fundamentally shaping East Central Europe’s historical path into the later medieval period.